Training Update

by Lilly Pinto

Web-Based Training Opens Doors

The National Highway Institute
(NHI) has been providing continuing education opportunities to transportation
professionals for more than four decades. Over the years, training attendees in
their course evaluations have acknowledged the quality of NHI courses and the
benefits of learning from leading experts in their respective fields. More
recently, NHI's customers have expressed their appreciation for the wide
variety of Web-based trainings (WBTs) now available, which they can easily fit
into their demanding schedules. Responding to this feedback, NHI has expanded
its WBT program to more than 100 courses. NHI training participant Rod
McDaniels recently shared how participating in a WBT session helped him land a
job with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).

The Right Training at the Right Time

During his professional career, McDaniels had worked in
a number of different industries and vocations with various organizations,
ranging from the city of North Las Vegas to the United Parcel Service to an
Alaskan fishery. However, in summer 2011, the position of program manager for
outdoor advertising control at UDOT caught his eye, and he decided to apply.

After learning he had cleared the
initial employment screenings, he began conducting indepth research on UDOT. "While
researching to prepare for the interview, I actually stumbled across a
reference to NHI by sheer fortune and great luck," says McDaniels. "As I was
reading information about Federal laws and regulations, references to [the
Federal Highway Administration] kept popping up. After reviewing the FHWA Web
site, I was led directly to NHI's Web-based training portal. It was a bit of a
serendipitous moment, in that I was doing the right thing, in the right place,
at the right time."

McDaniels could not believe his luck when he discovered that
NHI offered a course specifically related to the position he was seeking. "In
all my years of experience I have never discovered an opportunity where I could
actually take a multihour interactive course specifically related to the
position I was about to interview for," he says. He also was amazed by the
number of WBTs that NHI offers, most of which are free to participants. "The
WBT component makes 24/7 accessibility a reality, which is another great
benefit for today's busy professionals. The training I took, Outdoor
Advertising Control: Non-Bonus States [FHWA-NHI-141049], gave me the ability to
take my time and study the highly interactive content. So when I took the exam,
I scored 100 percent. When I finished the exam, I received completion results
and scores as well as a professional course completion certificate."

Standing Out From the Crowd

McDaniels brought his certificate of completion to his
interview as evidence of his "research, preparation, and competencies," he
says. "This action led to a second interview, which eventually led to a job
offer!"

In his new position at UDOT, McDaniels ensures the effective
control of outdoor advertising in Utah through the Federal and State
regulations related to the Highway Beautification Act. "I play an oversight,
communication, and coordination role for our many talented field professionals
who are dispersed within UDOT's four regional field offices," he says.

Because of his positive
experience with NHI training, McDaniels plans to continue participating in NHI
courses to grow his competencies and learn about new regulations and technologies
in his field. "In today's highly competitive job market, even the most viable
candidates need to present a sound differentiation strategy to impress hiring
managers and make themselves stand out from the masses," he says. "In my case,
there is zero doubt that NHI's WBT helped me accomplish this goal. To that end,
I am truly grateful for NHI and all the people that labored for untold hours to
make NHI's WBTs a strong educational resource aimed at improving vocational
knowledge and marketable job skills."